Carmel's Interim Superintendent of Schools announced that school breakfast and lunch will be free for all students in the district starting December 1, 2023
"It is not every day that we get to share news about something that is going to save families in the Carmel Central School District a lot of money," Interim Superintendent McGrath said. "So, we are very excited to tell you that, starting December 1, school breakfast and lunch will be free for all students in all our schools."
This program, which is funded by a New York State Education Department grant, will save families $1,130 per child per year. Families with two children will save $2,260 per year. Three-child families will save $3,390 per year, and so on. These savings are based on a grant that allows Carmel schools to provide students with a free breakfast and lunch every school day through June 2027.
Additional meals may be purchased at the following prices: breakfast at the elementary schools, $1.50; breakfast at the middle and high schools, $2.00; lunch at the Elementary School, $3.35; lunch at the middle and high Schools, $3.65. There is still an additional cost to purchase à la carte items such as snacks, bottled water, extra portions and secondary beverages.
It is important to note that the no-cost breakfast and lunch program is not retroactive. Any negative debt incurred prior to December 1, 2023, will remain on the student’s account until payment is received.
Previously, only certain families qualified for free meals through New York State. Interim Superintendent McGrath thanked Director of School Food Services Patrick Rodia and his assistant, Christine Foltmer, for ensuring that every child who was previously eligible for free meals was enrolled. Their enrollment efforts made the entire school district qualify under the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and therefore receive the funding granted by the New York State Education Department. Now, what was once limit
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